Tell me what you want to hear. I'll give you the answer if you tell me what you want.

　I made sure that Norsuli ate up our business, and then asked the first of two questions - the first of which was strictly a prelude to the confirmation.

'You are aware that the man who outsmarted you and escaped to this hierarchy ...... Councilor Algernon has created a human settlement?
I don't know much about it.

　I don't know the details - I don't know if he could tell that I was dubious about the vague response, but Norzuri restated the details without needing to ask again.

''We have been met with no small amount of opposition from the residents of Asropolis. It's a good thing that you're not the only one.
'So the administrator Fraxinus has embraced you guys through a policy of neutrality, but that doesn't mean the residents are wholeheartedly convinced: ......
Especially the few of our own people who have managed to escape us, and they're still bitter, to boot.

　A smile that could be taken as both self-mockery of his own reflection and mockery of the repulsive residents appeared on his mouth.

　If you ask me, I've seen dark elves all over the city of Asropolis on several occasions, but they may not be wounded soldiers of the Demon King's army who escaped, but someone who escaped the Demon King's army a long time ago.

　However, we don't have the means to determine which it was.

You can't hear the latest developments in the world. The only people who are interested in sharing information with people who are hated and resented are those who offer to do business with you.
'I see. ...... Isn't that the kind of position you'd want to be kind to?'

　From the point of view of Aslopolis, the Demon King's army was a group of people who suddenly came up from the third level one day, took away a large number of residents (dark elves), and recently escaped after being defeated in tatters.

　Moreover, many of the demons have an inhuman lifespan, so it's not surprising that many of the residents of that time are still alive today.

　If you adhere to the town's neutrality policy, you have no choice but to accept it, but not wanting to give them the latest information about other races is a perfectly natural reaction.

"Of course, we try to gather information, but it was laughable to keep the blatant 'bait' in the ...... living quarters. Did you think that if we attempted to retake or eliminate A...le, we could use force with aplomb?

　The 'bait' that Norsli amusingly talks about is probably Bran.

　The fact that Algernon is hiding her - Bran who turned to the Demon King's army for his own safety and disappeared in an unforeseen incident when the Demon King's castle fell - is what Norsulli considers a trap against the Demon King's army.

　While suppressing my displeasure at calling a human being, no matter how much of a bran, 'bait', I finally uttered the first real question.

'So, do you know where the humans in the residence area came from?
I don't know. It's a strange and mysterious thing, though.
...... Algernon said they were the guys who came through the Demon King's Castle with him.
What's that, ......?

　Suddenly, a sharp killing intent comes to Norzuri's face.

　It's a spirit filled with deep-seated irritation and displeasure that is incomparable to the killing intent that was directed at us at the same time as stalling us.

　I'm sure you'll be able to see that reaction,' I said, 'I knew it,' and stepped in further without pause.

''We broke through the Demon King's Castle with the people of the residential area in tow. Algernon explained that. ''Isn't it?''
You're kidding me!　You mean to tell me that we couldn't stop that many people and let them get away!

　Norzli barked with indignation.

　It's not just a matter of time before you get to the point where you'll be able to tell more than just two or three lies.

　It's a good thing that you've got a great deal of experience in this field.

'He appears alone with the swordsmen of the East!　And he stole our eyes, sacrificing one of them to escape to the lower levels alone!　With a bunch of guys?　The nonsense is getting ridiculous.--

　Norzuri, who had been spreading his rage, suddenly shuts down.

　Then the caustic expression fades from her brown face, and she mutters in a voice that has regained its calmness while peeling her eyes.

''--I see, that's how it is.''

　Norzuri moved his gaze from us to somewhere far away.

　It's as if he no longer has an ounce of interest in us, turning his angry and murderous gaze to something he cannot see from here, as if he no longer has an ounce of interest in us.

'This is the end of the story. We have done what we had to do.
"......!　Wait, Norzli!

　I shouted, but I was too quick, or maybe the Norzli leapt from the top of the ice wall with unseen speed, kicked the branches of the trees that had become one with the dwelling, and disappeared.

'You still want to ask me something: ......!　Let's get after it, Garnett!
Oh!

　After communicating with the minimum amount of communication necessary, Garnett and I started running towards the place where Norsulli would have been headed.

　I can't see him anymore, but I have a rough idea of where he's headed.

　Garnett has come to the same conclusion as I have, and there is no need to reconfirm where we should go.

　I'm sorry to say that Populus, who got involved for our own reasons, didn't seem to understand anything and could only run after us, desperately trying to get to where we were going.

'Where, where are you going?

　Populus seemed to be unused to running itself, moving his legs with clumsy movements, but he was getting closer and closer to being pulled away.

'Human habitation!　I didn't expect to be so instantly rejected: ......!　Garnett!　Populus, please!
That's it!　Without this guy, we'll have a lot of excuses later!

　As soon as Garnett adjusted his speed and ran alongside Populus, he lifted his small body onto his shoulder with a whimper and began to accelerate again, running faster than me.

　Even though I've strengthened my body with my skills, being shown once again the difference in my physical abilities like this, on the contrary, I can't feel any negative feelings at all.

　In fact, I even feel a sense of dependability - is that indeed a personal favorite impression?

　Soon, the residential area surrounded by a wall of wood comes into view.

　The moment you think you're almost there, that wall is smashed down from the inside and countless pieces of debris are sent flying through the air with great force.

''Na......!''

　Garnett comes to an abrupt stop while carrying Populus.

　I stop a little later, too, and squint to check the scene beyond the dust.

　The one who emerged from behind the dust and debris of the wall that had been raised was, as I imagined, the Demon General Norzuri.

　Without taking his gaze off Norzuri, Garnett set Populus down and let him hide behind himself.

...... Hey, hey, hey, Norzuri-san. Are you sure it's safe to launch a first strike?　I've broken the no fighting rule as fast as I can, huh?
"Read the article again later. That's a section that prohibits the use of force against official residents and guests. You cannot be blamed for removing people who have been hiding in plain sight, such as this guy. Like this guy, for example.

　Norzuri threw the one he was dragging in one hand forward.

　It fell with a crunching sound and was the remnants of an advanced automatic doll that had been disguised as a human.